Ollina Thompson, a senior at Lockport Township High School, started Hope on Their Shoulders shortly before the school year began. She wanted local children to have the supplies they needed for the first day.
She asked area businesses and residents for help. In less than a month, the effort collected 273 backpacks and more than 3,500 school items, according to Thompson.
Churches, schools, businesses, community groups and elected officials joined in. Thompson helped distribute the supplies at community events with state Representative Dee Avelar.
At those events, children chose backpacks and supplies for school. A project started by one student had become a much wider expression of support from her community.
